Machine for liquid treatment of photographic films or the like

ABSTRACT

A DEVELOPING MACHINE FOR EXPOSED PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM HAS A SERIES OF TANKS EACH OF WHICH ACCOMMODATES A CHAMBER CONSISTING OF UPPER AND LOWER CONTAINERS DEFINING BETWEEN THEMSELVES A CHANNEL WHEREIN THE FILMS ADVANCE DURING TRAVEL THROUGH THE RESPECTIVE TANK. THE CONTAINERS HAVE ORIFICES WHICH DISCHARGE LIQUID INTO THE RESPECTIVE CHANNELS IN SUCH A WAY THAT THE LIQUID FLOWS COUNTER TO THE DIRECTION OF FILM TRAVEL AND FORMS STREAMS. AT BOTH SIDES OF FILMS. THE ORIFICES ARE CIRCULAR HOLES OR ELONGATED SLITS AND THEIR CROSS-SECTIONAL AREA MAY BE FIXED OR ADJUSTABLE. THE ORIFICES ARE ADJACENT TO THE FILM DISCHARGING ENDS OF THE RESPECTIVE CHANNELS.

7 HANS-DIETER FRICK 3,610,131

.MAGHINE FOR LIQUID TREATMENT OF PHOTOGRAPHIG FILMS 0R 'I'HH [JIKIJ 3Shoots-Shoot 1 Filed June 17, 1968 INVENTOR.

Oct. 5, 1971 HANS'DIETER FRICK L MACHINE FOR LIQUID TREATMENT OFPIIOTOGRAPHIC FILMS OR THE L'IKIC Filed June 17, 1968 77 37A 34' 2 4135A 40 37c 31' 376331; 24"

3 Shocts-Jheot 2 cINVENTOR. HANS-DIETER FRI K PETERD HUBER DAWI OWITSCHlNAND-LEONHARD SCHOUTEDEN A KOCOUREK RD POSCH WOLFGANG VlEHRlNG BY "mil[0! 31'6"!!- til/or 1971 HANS-DIETER FRICK ETA!- 3,610,131

MACHINE FOR LIQUID TREATMENT OF PHOTOGRAPHEO FILMS OR THE LIKE FiledJune 1.7, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig.5

INVENTOR.

ER DAWID NAND-LEONHARD SCHOUTEDEN United States Patent ofi s 3,610,131Patented Oct. 5, 1971 Int. Cl. G03d 3/12 US. CI. 9594 8 Claims ABSTRACTOF THE DISCLOSURE A developing machine for exposed photographic filmshas a series of tanks each of which accommodates a chamber consisting ofupper and lower containers de fining between themselves a channelwherein the films advance during travel through the respective tank. Thecontainers have orifices which discharge liquid into the re spectivechannels in such a way that the liquid flows counter to the direction offilm travel and forms streams at both sides of films. The orifices arecircular holes or elongated slits and their cross-sectional area may befixed or adjustable. The orifices are adjacent to the film dischargingends of the respective channels.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to machinesfor treating sheet-like workpieces with liquids, and more particularlyto improvements in developing machines for exposed photographic film orthe like. Still more particularly, the invention relates to improvementsin machines wherein travelling sheets of film or like sheet material aretreated by contact with liquid streams.

In presently known developing machines, sheets or rolls of films aretransported lengthwise and the liquid is caused to flow along both sidesof the film but at a higher speed. In this way, the liquid streamsfacilitate the entry of the leading end of the film into and its advancethrough the machine. A drawback of such machines is that, in order tocomplete the treatment within a reasonably short period of time, thespeed of the liquid streams must be much higher than the speed of film.This can be achieved by subjecting the liquids to substantial pressureby resorting to large pumps or analogous liquid displacing devices. Moreover, the pumps must circulate large quantities of liquids which isundesirable because the machine is bulky and particularly because thedeveloper is sensitive to oxidation. Any reduction in the speed ofliquid streams necessarily entails a reduction in the speed of filmtravel because the rate at which the film is developed depends on thediiference in the speeds of liquid and film.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of our invention to provide amachine which can be utilized for developing of exposed photographicfilms and wherein the circulation of liquids which are brought intocontact with films can be eifected with simpler apparatus and withsavings in energy.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the justoutlined character which can complete the treatment of travelling filmswithin shorter periods of time than presently known machines.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine which cansubject travelling films or like sheet-like workpieces to a series ofsuccessive treatments and wherein both sides of each workpiece aretreated with the same intensity.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a machine whereinthe liquids which treat the workpieces contribute to proper guidance ofworkpieces during travel toward and past one or more treating stations.

An ancillary object of the invention is to provide a machine which cantreat photographic films in rapid sequence, wherein the intensity oftreatment can be regulated with a desired degree of precision, andwherein the liquids which are likely to oxidize are protected fromexcessive contact with air in a novel and improved way.

Still another object of the instant invention is to provide the aboveoutlined machine with novel means for regulating the rate of fiow ofliquids which come into contact with workpieces and to further providethe machine with novel means for recirculating such liquids into renewedcontact with workpieces.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine which can beadjusted to accommodate and treat workpieces of different thickness,length and/ or width and which requires a minimum of supervision.

Briefly outlined, the invention is embodied in a machine which can beutilized for treatment of sheet-like workpieces, particularly fordeveloping, fixing and washing of exposed photographic films. Themachine comprises transporting means for advancing workpieces in apredetermined direction along a predetermined path which is preferablylocated in a substantially horizontal plane, a treating chamber definingan elongated channel through which the workpieces advance during travelalong the path and comprising portions flanking the channel from aboveand below and each having at least one orifice which directs a stream ofliquid into the channel so that the liquid flows along the respectiveside of the workpiece in the channel and counter to the direction oftravel of workpieces, and means for supplying liquid to the chamber.

The chamber is preferably mounted in a tank which collects liquid thatissues from the channel so that the thus collected liquid can bewithdrawn by the aforementioned supplying means for recirculationthrough the chamber. The tank may be sealed against entry of air,particularly if the liquid tends to oxidize on contact with air, or thesupply of liquid in the tank can be shielded from air by a floating lid.

Each portion of the chamber may be provided with one or more elongatedslit-shaped orifices or with one or more rows of circular or shortslit-shaped orifices. If each portion of the chamber comprises a singleorifice or a single row of orifices, such orifices are preferablyprovided close to the discharge end of the channel so that liquidissuing from such orifices can treat the workpieces during flow throughthe major part of the channel prior to issuing at the intake end of thechannel to be collected in the bottom zone of the tank.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. Theimproved machine itself, however, both as to its construction and itsmode of operation, together with additional features and advantagesthereof, will be best understood upon perusal of the following detaileddescription of certain specific embodiments with reference to theaccompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a longitudinal verticalsectional view of a developing machine which embodies one form of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a containerforming part of a treating chamber in the machine of FIG. 1;

3 'FIG. 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal vertical sectional view of asecond developing machine;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a container in the machine of FIG. 3, withcertain of its parts omitted; and

FIG. is a vertical sectional view as seen in the direction of arrowsfrom the line VV of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 illustrates a portion ofa developing machine which comprises a vessel 1 whose width exceedssomewhat the maximum width of film 2 to be processed in the machine. Thedistance between the axes of succes- I sive pairs of transporting rolls3, 4 is somewhat less than the length of shortest films which are to betreated during travel through the vessel. The speed at which the film istransported depends on the time required for treatment in successiveportions of the vessel 1. This vessel is provided with two transverselyextending vertical partitions 1a, 1b which extend from the bottom wallof the vessel and close to the path for the film 2. It can be said thatthe vessel 1 is composed of three tanks 1A, 1B, 1G in the first of whichthe film is treated by a liquid developer, in the second of which thefilm undergoes treatment by contact with a fixing bath, and in the thirdof which the film is treated with water. The bottom portions of tanks1A-1C are respectively provided with outlets 1c, 1d, 1e.

The vessel 1 preferably consists of synthetic plastic material and eachof its tanks accommodates two pairs of transporting rolls 3, 4. Thesepairs of rolls are adjacent to the intake and discharge ends of therespective tanks. The means for driving the rolls 3 and 4 comprises agear train including two meshing gears for each pair of rolls 3, 4 and afeed screw or worm shaft 3A which is driven by a motor (not shown) andextends along one side wall of the vessel. The shaft 3A transmits torqueto all of the gears. It is desirable to bias the rolls 3, 4 of each pairagainst each other, for example, by mounting the shaft or bearing of atleast one roll for movement toward and away from the shaft or hearing ofthe other roll and by placing a prestressed endless helical springaround such shafts or bearings.

A platform or table 5 is mounted at the outer side of the vessel 1adjacent to and below the inlet of the first tank 1A to serve as asupport for exposed film 2 and to guide the film into the nip betweenthe first transporting rolls 3, 4. The leading edge of film 2 can bepushed toward the adjoining rolls 3, 4 and the film is thereuponautomatically transported through the tanks 1A1C and is discharged fromthe vessel 1. The last tank 1C is adjacent to a drier 6 which defines ahorizontal path for treated film and accommodates several pairs oftransporting rolls 7, 8 as well as nozzles 3 which blow air against bothsides of the film. A similar drier is disclosed in the copendingapplication Ser. No. 566,691 filed July 20, 1966 by Keller et al. and,now Pat. No. 3,438,140, assigned to the same assignee.

The tanks 1A, 1B, 1C respectively accommodate novel treating chambers10, 11 and 12 each of which comprises two mirror symmetrical portions orcontainers one of which is shown in greater detail in FIG. 2. Thisillustration shows the lower container a of the first treating chamber10. The container 10a is connected with a supply conduit 10b which feedsthereto liquid developer from a pump 100. The pump 10c draws liquiddeveloper from the outlet 10 of the tank 1A. Thus, the liquid circulatesin a closed path from the pressure side of the pump 100, into thecontainer 10a by way of the supply conduit 10b, into the tank 1A, and tothe suction side of the pump by way of the outlet 1c. The pump 10c canalso supply liquid developer to the upper container 10a of the chamber10 or the container 10a may receive liquid developer from a separatepump which also draws liquid from the tank 1A. It is clear that themachine may be equipped with a regenerating unit (shown at 10d in FIG.

4 1) which admits to the liquid chemicals at a rate proportional to therate at which the exposed film is transported through the tank 1A. Thetop of the vessel 1 is preferably closed by a cover 13 provided withopenings or cutouts for supply conduits and other parts which extendfrom the interior of the vessel.

The container 10a has an undulate top portion or panel 15 whoseundulations extend transversely of the direction of film travel and aremirror symmetrical to those formed by the top panel 15' of the uppercontainer 10a. The panels 15, 15a define between themselves an elongatedchannel lSA whose height varies gradually between a maximum height(between two valleys) and a minimum height (between two hills). In theillustrated embodiment, each of the panels 15, 15' is formed with threevalleys and the panels together define four constrictions in the channel15A including two outermost constrictions and two intermediateconstrictions.

The panel 15 has two lines or rows of orifices 17 whose axes are normalor nearly normal to the surrounding portions of the panel and whichdischarge streams of liquid developer into the channel 15A. The orifices17' of the panel 15' are mirror symmetrical to the orifices 17 withreference to the plane of the film 2. The orifices 17, 17' are providedupstream of the second and fourth constrictions in the channel 15A,i.e., in such portions of the panels 15, 15' which slope toward theplane of the film 2. It will be seen that the orifices 1'7, 17'discharge liquid developer in a direction which has a component in ahorizontal plane and is counter to the direction of film advance. Thedeforming action of streams which issue from the orifices 17 and impingeagainst the underside of the film 2 is compensated for by the deformingaction of streams which issue from the orifices 17'.

The front, rear and bottom panels of the container 10a shown in FIG. 2are formed by a one-piece U-shaped body 14 of synthetic plastic materialwhose edges are welded to the top panel 15 and to two fiat lateralpanels 16 (only one shown in FIG. 2). The top edges of the panels 16extend beyond the crests of the panel 15 by a distance which is about ofan inch so that, when the lateral panels of the upper container 10a areplaced against the lateral panels 16 of the container 10a, they form twocontinuous barriers along the sides of the channel 15A and insure thatthe constrictions of the channel 15A are wide enough (about of an inch)to permit passage of thicker or thinner films and of layers ofdeveloping liquid along both sides of the film (but in the oppositedirection). As stated above, the rows of orifices 17, 17' are locatedupstream of the adjoining constrictions in the channel 15A. The U-shaped part 14 of the lower container 10a rests on projections (notshown) which extend inwardly from the side walls of the tank 1A. Theupper container 10a rests on the lateral panels 16 of the container 10a.

In the machine of FIGS. 1 and 2, the orifices 17, 17' are of circularoutline and have a diameter of about ,5 of an inch. The distance betweenthe orifices of a row is about of an inch, i.e., about ten times thediameter of an orifice. However, it is equally within the purview of theinvention to provide the panel 15 and/or 15' with orifices in the formof slits which extend transversely of the direction of film travel, toprovide such panels with circular and slitshaped orifices, and/or tostagger the orifices of each row in the direction of film travel.

The liquid developer which issues from the orifices -17, 17' flows inthe channel 15A toward the platform 5 and is intercepted by a trough 18located below the first pair of transporting rolls 3, 4. The trough 18has a pipe 19 which discharges the liquid into the bottom zone of thetank 1A. The aforementioned supply conduit 10b for the lower container10a preferably extends along one of the lateral panels 16 and through anopening or cutout in the cover 13.

Good results were achieved with containers having a width of about 16inches, rows of orifices with a diameter of about of an inch, and withliquid developer which was maintained at a pressure of about one-halfatmosphere above atmospheric pressure. The films were developed rapidlyand with very satisfactory uniformity.

The undulations of panels 15, 15' contribute to rigidity of thecontainers a, 10a which is important to insure that the containersundergo negligible deformation when they accommodate pressurized liquid.In other words, the width of constrictions in the channel A changes verylittle or not at all, even in the regions substantially midway betweenthe lateral panels 16. Furthermore, each chamber can be readily cleanedbecause the containers 10a, 1011' are separable from each other so thatthe orifices 17, 17 are accessible for periodic inspection and/ orcleaning. Simplicity, ruggedness, low cost, reliability and compactnessare but a few of several advantageous features of the improveddeveloping machine.

The intercepting trough 18 serves the purpose of reducing contactbetween liquid developer and surrounding air. It is well known that thedeveloper is sensitive to oxidation and, in the absence of the trough 18and its pipe 19, liquid issuing from the upstream end or intake end ofthe channel 15A would be in long-lasting contact with air prior toentering the bottom zone of the tank 1A. Such large-area contact betweenair and liquid developer would cause excessive oxidation. The trough 18resembles a hopper or funnel and its cross-sectional area diminishestoward the upper end of the pipe 19. This trough intercepts liquid whichflows countercurrent along both sides of the film, i.e., also suchliquid which is discharged by the upper orifices 17'. On entering thetrough 18, the liquid forms a rather thick stream so that the area ofcontact with air is reduced to a minimum. It is preferred to provide areadily separable connection between the trough 18 and the container10:: and/ or 10a or between the trough and the tank 1A. The top panel 15of the lower container 10:: preferably extends rearwardly beyond theU-shaped body 14 and is located directly above the open upper end of thetrough 18. The contact between air and liquid developer can be reducedstill further if the tank 1A accommodates a floating lid or swimmerwhich rests on top of the body of liquid in the bottom zone of the tank.The dimensions of the swimmer 20 preferably approximate the dimensionsof the space in the tank 1A below the lower container 100. This swimmerhas an aperture which accommodates the pipe 19 with sufficient clearanceto permit upward and downward movements of the swimmer, depending on thelevel of liquid in the tank 1A.

Another mode of preventing premature oxidation of developer is to formthe tank 1A as an airtightly sealed plenum chamber and to fill the spaceabove the liquid developer with nitrogen or other protective gas. Thismodification is indicated diagrammatically in FIG. 1 which shows a pipe20A connected to the tank 1A and to a source 20B of protective gas. Itwas found that the gas prevents penetration of oxygen into the tank 1Aeven if the pressure of such gas exceeds very slightly the pressure ofthe surrounding atmosphere. In order to maintain such slightoverpressure, the pipe 20A contains an adjustable valve 20C which admitssmall quantities of gas from the source 20B. The valve 20C is preferablya solenoid-operated valve which may be connected in series with themotor for the pump 100 so that it opens in automatic response toadmission of liquid developer into the container 10a.

In accordance with a further modification of the present invention, thefilm 2 can be conveyed or transported along a substantially U-shapedpath by means of transporting elements which are immersed in the liquiddeveloper. The intensity of developing action is then reduced but iscompensated for by longer-lasting contact between the film and liquiddeveloper because the film travels along a U- shaped path.

The manner in which the film is treated by a fixer in the tank 1B and bywater in the tank 10 is the same as described in connection with thetank 1A and its chamber 10.

An important advantage of our machine is that the relative speed betweenthe liquid streams and the films 2 is very high even though the liquidstreams need not be conveyed at a high speed. This is due to the factthat the liquid flows counter to the direction of film travel. Since therelative speed between the films and liquid is high even if the speed ofthe liquid streams is low, the machine can operate properly with pumpswhose output is low. Furthermore, the upper and lower containers of thetreating chambers 10, 11 and 12 can define relatively short channelsbecause the films are subjected to intensive treatment by liquid streamswhich fiow counter to the direction of film travel. If the channels arerelatively long, the rate of film transport can be increased well beyondthe rate which is permissible in presently known machines wherein theliquid flows in the direction of film travel.

Another advantage of our machine is that the width of channels betweenthe containers of the treating chambers 10, 11, 12 varies continuously.This is particularly important in the first tank 1A because the undulatesurfaces of panels 15, 15 insure repeated and very intensive mixing ofingredients in the liquid developer. Furthermore, and as mentionedabove, the paels 15, 15' insure very satisfactory guidance of workpiecesthrough the respective channels. The streams issuing from the first tworows of orifices 17, 17 center the leading edge of the film 2 in thechannel 15A as soon as the film enters by way of the intake end of thechannel and is thereupon conveyed midway between the panels 15, 15 sothat each of its sides is treated with the same degree of intensity.

FIGS. 3 to 5 illustrate a portion of a second developing machine. Thetank for liquid developer is shown at 101A; this tank accommodates achamber which comprises two portions or containers 31, 31'. The meansfor transporting the film 21 lengthwise through the channel A betweenthe containers 31, 31' comprises two pairs of transporting rolls 22, 23and 24, 25. The lower rolls 23, 26 are fixed to gears (not shown) whichmesh with gears 27, 28, and the gears 27, 28 are respectively rigid withsprocket wheels 27A, 28A driven by an endless chain 30 whose upperstretch travels along a horizontal rail or a like support 29. The chain30 is driven by a suitable motor which is not shown in the drawing. Theupper transporting rolls 22, 24 are driven by gears (not shown) whichmesh with the companion gears of the lower rolls 23, 25 or rotate merelyin response to frictional engagement with the lower rolls and/or film21. The drive for the transporting rolls is preferably installedexternally of the tank 101A. The chain 30 can be employed to drive onlythe transporting rolls of the tank 101A or to drive the transportingrolls of the adjoining tank or tanks corresponding to the tanks 1B, IQof FIG. 1.

The containers 31, 31 are mounted in the space 26 between the two pairsof transporting rolls. The container 31 is mirror symmetrical to and ispractically identical with the container 31'. The following part of thisdescription will refer mainly to the lower container 31 with theunderstanding, however, that the upper container 31' is of identical orsubstantially identical design; its parts are denoted by similarnumerals each followed by a prime.

The container 31 comprises a trough-shaped main body portion 31A whichpreferably consists of synthetic plastic material and is provided with atransversely extending internal partition 31a located between the frontand rear panels 31f, 31d but closer to the front panel 31 In accordancewith a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the distancebetween the partition 31a and the front panel 317 is substantially halfthe distance between the partition 31a and rear panel 31a. The partitiondivides the interior of the container 31 into a compartment or duct 31bfor liquid developer and an unused compartment 310 which is sealedagainst entry of developer. The compartment 310 is sealed from above bya top panel 32. It was found that the amounts of liquid developer whichcan be furnished by the compart ments or ducts 31b, 31b are amplysufficient to insure rapid treatment of film 21 which advances throughthe channel 115A.

The bottom portion of the duct 31b is bounded by a V-shaped surface 31cwhich defines a transversely extending groove. An insert 33of thin sheetmetal has a portion which overlies the surface 31c and whose marginalportions are bent to form two transversely extending flaps. The materialof the insert 33 is elastic and rustproof (for example, metallic sheetstock known as V4A). Combined deforming or anchoring means including oneor more screws 34 is provided to secure the insert 33 to the main bodyportion 31A and to deform that portion of the insert which overlies thesurface 31e. The screws 34 can be reached at the outer side of thecontainer 31 to facilitate adjustment and hence the extent ofdeformation of the insert 33. When the screws 34 are tightened, thatportion of the insert 33 which is adjacent to the front panel 31] pivotsalong the edge 33b and moves away from the front wall.

A second insert 35 of thin sheet metal is screwed or otherwise affixedto the top panel 32 at a level above the partition 31a. The unattachedportion of the insert 35 extends forwardly, first in substantialparallelism with and thereupon toward the path for the film 21. Theinserts 35, 35 define a constriction of the channel 115A and thereuponflare outwardly (away from the film path) to define with the adjoiningflaps 33a, 33a of the inserts 33, 33' two transversely extendingslit-shaped orifices 117, 117' which discharge liquid developer from theducts 31b, 3112 into the channel 115A in such a way that the developerflows counter to the direction of film travel and along both sides ofthe film 21. The foremost end portions of the inserts 35, 35' make withthe plane of film 21 an angle of about 25 degrees. These foremostportions are located past the bends 35a, 35a in the inserts 35, 35'. Thelength of overlap between the inserts 33, 35 and 33', 35' exceeds theheight of orifices 117, 117'. The overlapping portions of these insertsare substantially parallel to each other. They insure that the liquiddeveloper issues in predetermined directions and that the angle betweenthe streams and the plane of film 21 remains substantially constant. Thelength of overlap between the inserts 33, 35 or 33, 35' does not exceedthe distance between the bend 3511 or 35a and the intake end of therespective orifice 117 or 117'. If the flap 33a or 33a is pivoted inresponse to rotation of the screws 34 or 34', the width of the orifice117 or 117' can be increased or reduced. Similar adjustments can beachieved by mounting the inserts 33, 33' or 35, 35' for movement towardand away from the plane of film 21. If the inserts 33, 33' are movableat right angles to the film plane, the planes of the front panels 31 31are preferably normal to the film path.

The ducts 31b, 31b are accessible for cleaning in re sponse to removalof the inserts 35, 35'. The edges of the panels 31d, 31f and 31d, 31]"extend beyond the respective top panels 32, 32' (in a direction towardthe film 21) to form two additional constrictions at the two ends of thechannel 115A. The width of these constrictions is less than that of theconstriction between the inserts 34, 35'.

The main body portion 31A of the upper container 31' carries a doctorblade or wiper 41 which extends close to the periphery of thetransporting roll 22 and is secured to the container 31 by a plate 35Aand one or more screws 40. The wiper 41 preferably consists of elasticsynthetic plastic material and its purpose is to remove liquid developerfrom the roll 22.

FIG. 4 shows the container 31 from above with the inserts 33, 35omitted. This illustration further shows a portion of the means forsupplying liquid developer to the compartment or duct 31b. Tapped holes31g and 3111 are provided in the main body portion 31A to accept screwswhich hold the top panel 32 (not shown). The

screw which enters the hole 31h simultaneously holds the insert 35. Thetapped hole 311' receives one of the screws 34 for the insert 33.

The liquid supplying means includes a rectangular part of the main bodyportion 31A which accommodates a plastic block 36 of rectangular outlineprovided with a large-diameter passage 36a extending at right angles tothe plane of film 21. This passage 36a is formed in the central portionof the block 36 and communicates with a radially extending port orpassage 36b of identical diameter. The port 36b communicates with oneend of the duct 31b by way of a suitable cutout which extendslongitudinally of the container 31. The block 36 also serves as a meansfor preventing entry of liquid developer into the compartment 31c. Thebottom panel of the main body portion 31A has a passage 31k whichcommunicates with the passage 36a. The passage 31k in the bottom Wall ofthe main body portion 31A has a diameter which is considerably less thanthat of the passage 36a in the block 36' (see FIG. 5).

The remaining parts of the supplying means for liquid developer areshown in FIG. 5. The tank 101A has a bottom wall 42 provided with a hole42a for a supply conduit 37. The conduit 37 has a shoulder 37a whichabuts against the bottom wall 42. That portion of the conduit 37 whichextends downwardly and beyond the hole 42a is threaded, as at 37b, totake a nut 38 which fixes the conduit in requisite position withreference to the tank 101A. The lower end portion of the conduit 37 isconnected with a liquid-circulating pump by means of a hose, not shown.Such pump corresponds to the pump shown in FIG. 1.

The upper end portion of the supply conduit 37 has a counterbore 37c fora thin-walled sleeve 39 which is glued to the conduit and has twocutouts 39b, 39b which respectively register with ports 36b, 36b. Theexternal diameter of the sleeve 39 equals the diameters of passages 36a,36a in the blocks 36, 36. The lower container 31 surrounds the sleeve 39and rests on the top face of the supply conduit 37. The container 31rests on top of the container 31, i.e., the blocks 36, 36' a=but againsteach other and these blocks thus determine the width of aforementionedconstrictions between the panels 31d, 31d and 31 31f. The passage 31kaccommodates the stem of a screw 43 which meshes with a plug 39a in theupper end of the sleeve 39 and holds the blocks 36, 36' against movementaway from each other.

The liquid developer fiows upwardly through the supply conduit 37 andthrough cutouts 39b, 39b of the sleeve 39 to enter the ducts 31b, 31b byway of the ports 36b, 36b. The cutouts 39b, 39b may but need not be ofidentical size. Their size depends on whether it is desired to supply tothe ducts 31b, 31b equal or different quantities of liquid developer perunit of time. The sleeve 39 may accommodate a fitting angularly and/oraxially adjustable metering sleeve (not shown) which can overlie largeror smaller portions of cutouts 39b, 39b to thus regulate the rate ofliquid admission to the ducts 31b, 31b. Such metering sleeve can beprovided with a relatively wide slot or cutout in the region of theupper cutout 39b and with a smaller-diameter portion in the region ofthe cutout 39b to insure that the liquid develops a pressure head beforeit enters the duct 31b and/or 31b.

The operation of the machine which embodies the structure of FIGS. 3 to5 is as follows:

The leading end of the film 21 is introduced between the transportingrolls 22, 23 which advance the film through the channel A and into therange of transporting rolls 24, 25. A pump (not shown) supplies liquiddeveloper into the lower end of the conduit 37. The liquid enters thesleeve 39 and flows through the cutouts 39b, 39b and ducts 31b, 31b toenter the channel 115A by way of the orifices 117, 117 in a directioncounter to that in which the film 21 is transported by the rolls 22-25.The film has a certain stiffness which suffices to insure that itsleading end does not abut against the panel 32 or 32' as soon as itadvances beyond the constriction between the rear panels 31d, 31d. Thus,the film is immediately flanked by two liquid streams which insure thatthe surfaces of the film remain out of contact with the containers 31,31'. The constriction between the inserts 35, 35' serves to center theleading edge of film 21 in the corresponding portion of the channel115A; such constriction (in the zone between the bends 35a, 35a) furtherprevents entry of the leading edge into one of the orifices 117, 117'.The edges of the flaps 33a, 330' are more distant from the film paththan the bends 35a, 35a; this also contributes to proper guidance of theleading edge of film 21 past and beyond the orifices.

The liquid issues from the channel 115A in the space between the rearpanels 31d, 31d and the wiper 41 insures that the liquid cannot flow allaround the upper transporting roll 22. Such liquid descends into thebottom zone .of the tank 101A by flowing along the edges of the film 21.

Since the ducts 31b, 31b take up only a small portion of the volume ofthe containers 31, 31, the operation of this machine is very economicaland the machine is set for operation within a short interval of timefollowing admission of liquid into the lower end of the supply conduit37. This is of particular importance when the liquid is a developingsolution which has a tendency to oxidize on contact with air. Theefliciency of the machine is much higher than that of machines whereinthe liquid flows in the direction of film transport. It was furtherfound that liquid which flows countercurrent to the direction of filmtravel does not interfere with the transport of film through the channel115A.

It will be noted that each of the containers 31, 31' has a singleorifice which is adjacent to the discharge end of the channel 115A(i.e., to that end at which the film issues from the channel).Furthermore, the size of the orifice 117 or 117' can be changed toconvert the machine of FIGS. 3 to 5 for treatment of different types offilms. The cross-sectional area and the orientation of the orifice ororifices, combined with the output of the pump, determines the strengthand the direction of liquid flow in the respective channel. As statedbefore, the cross-sectional area of the orifices 117, 117' can beadjusted by way of the inserts 33, 33 and/or 35, 35. Such adjustabilityenables the operators to select the intensity of treatment as a functionof the type of film as well as in dependency on the output of the pumpwhich delivers liquid to the conduit 37. Furthermore, the orifices 11-7,117 can be cleaned without necessitating removal of the inserts 33, 33-and/or 35, 35'. As a rule, impurities which might accumulate in theconduit 37, sleeve 39, blocks 36, 36', ducts 31b, 31b and/or orifices117, 117' can be expelled by increasing the width of orifices to amaximum value and by mechanically removing impurities which areintercepted between the inserts 33, 35 or 33, 35.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge,readily adapt it for various applications without omitting featureswhich fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic andspecific aspects of our contribution to the art and, therefore, suchadaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within themeaning and range of equivalence of the claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent isset forth in the appended claims:

1. In a machine for liquid treatment of sheet-like Workpieces,particularly for developing of exposed photographic films, a combinationcomprising transporting means for advancing workpieces along apredetermined path and in a predetermined direction; a treating chamberdefining a channel through which the workpieces advance during travelalong said path, said chamber comprising two hollow containersrespectively located above and below said path and said containersincluding panels flanking said channel from above and from below andeach having at of liquid into said channel so that the liquid flowsalong the respective side of the workpiece in said channel and counterto said predetermined direction, at least a portion of the interior ofeach of said containers being in communication with the respectiveorifice and said containers further having abutting lateral panels; tankmeans accommodating said chamber and arranged to collect liquid whichissues from said channel; means for supplying liquid into said chamber,including means for withdrawing liquid from said tank means and conduitmeans for admitting the thus withdrawn liquid into said containers; alid arranged to float upon and to substantially cover the liquid whichaccumulates in said tank means; and pipe means arranged to convey liquidfrom said channel into the bottom zone of said tank means, said pipemeans extending with clearance through an aperture provided in said lid.

2. In a machine for liquid treament of sheet-like workpieces,particularly for developing of exposed photographic films, a combinationcomprising transporting means for advancing workpieces along apredetermined path and in a predetermined direction; a treating chamberdefining a channel through which the workpieces advance during travelalong said path, said chamber comprising first and second containersrespectively located above and below said path and having portionsflanking said channel from above and having portions flanking saidchannel from least one liquid-discharging orifice for directing a streamof liquid into said channel so that the liquid flows along therespective side of a workpiece in said channel and counter to saidpredetermined direction, each of said containers further having aninternal partition dividing its interior into a pair of compartments oneof which communicates with the respective orifice, the volume of theother compartment of each of said pairs exceeding the volume of said onecompartment and said containers further comprising means for sealingsaid other compartments from liquid; and means for supplying liquid tosaid one compartment of each of said containers.

3. A combination as defined in claim 2, wherein at least one of saidorifices is an elongated slit extending transversely of said channel andwherein the respective container further comprises means for adjustingthe eflective width of said slit, said adjusting means comprising amember detachably secured to the partition of the correspondingcontainer.

4. In a machine for liquid treatment of sheet-like Workpleces,particularly for developing of exposed photographic films, a combinationcomprising transporting means for advancing workpieces along apredetermined path and in a predetermined direction; a treating chamberdefining a channel through which the workpieces advance during travelalong said path, said chamber comprising a pair of containersrespectively located above and below said path and having portionsflanking said channel from above and from below, each of said portionshaving at least one liquid-discharging orifice for directing a stream ofliquid into said channel so that the liquid flows along the respectiveside of a workpiece in said channel and counter to said predetermineddirection; tank means accommodating said containers; means for supplyingliquid to said containers, including a substantially upright supplyconduit extending upwardly through said tank means and arranged to feedliquid into passages provided in said containers in communication withthe respective orifices, and a sleeve fitted into said conduit andextending into said containers to supply liquid to said passages, saidsleeve having a closed end; and means for securing said containers tosaid conduit, including means for connecting the closed end of saidsleeve to the upper one of said containers.

5. In a machine for liquid treatment of sheet-like workpieces,particularly for developing of exposed photographic film, a combinationcomprising transporting means for advancing workpieces along asubstantially horizontal path and in a predetermined direction; atreating chamber defining a channel through which the workpieces advanceduring travel along said path, said channel having a receiving end and adischarging end located past said receiving end as considered in saidpredetermined direction and said chamber comprising portions flankingsaid channel from above and from below, each of said portions having atleast one liquid-discharging orifice for directing a stream of liquidinto said channel so that the liquid flows along the respective side ofa workpiece in said channel and counter to said predetermined direction,all of said orifices being disposed nearer to said discharging end thanto said receiving end and each thereof constituting an elongated slitextending transversely of said predetermined direction; means forsupplying liquid to said chamber; and adjusting means for adjusting theeffective width of at least one of said orifices, said chambercomprising two containers which are substantially mirror symmetricalwith reference to the plane of said path and each of said portionsforming part of a different one of said containers, said adjusting meanscomprising a pair of inserts flanking an orifice whose effective widthis to be adjusted and means for moving at least a portion of at leastone of said inserts with reference to the other insert to thereby changethe efiective width of said last mentioned orifice.

6. A combination as defined in claim 5, wherein said 12 orifices aresubstantially mirror symmetrical to each other with reference to saidplane.

7. A combination as defined in claim 5, wherein at least one of saidinserts consists of elastic sheet material. 8. A combination as definedin claim 7, wherein said moving means is arranged to deform said oneinsert.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,413,904 12/1968 Friedel 9596 X2,359,611 10/1944 Bolsey 9597 X 2,710,832 6/1955 Harr 9589 UX 3,143,0568/ 1964 Limberger 9589 3,192,846 7/1965 Wright 9589 X 3,344,729 1 0/1967 Kitrosser 9589 3,348,526 10/1967 Neubauer 118410 3,372,630 3/1968Schmidt 9594 3,405,626 10/1968 tFlCiShCl et al. 9594 3,405,627 10/ 1968Day et al. 9594 3,461,788 8/1969 Tiger et al. 9589 X 3,461,843 8/1969Noon 9589 X SAMUEL S. MATTHEWS, Primary Examiner 0 F. L. BRAUN,Assistant Examiner

